Quattro: From Wine Hunt to Steak Surprise | Frankfurt, Germany
It was my last day in Frankfurt before heading back to Dubai, and I had one simple plan: pick up some wine to take home.
I’ve been on a bit of a Mosel Riesling kick lately, the crisp, citrusy kind that makes you pause mid-sip, so I was planning to get a few bottles and an Eiswein or two for a cozy night in with my wife. Conveniently, there was a wine bar and shop right next to my hotel. Perfect, I thought. Drop in, ask for something interesting but not bank-breaking, and be done in ten minutes.
But destiny, and a locked door, had other plans.
The shop was closed. Not temporarily. Not five-minutes-closed. Properly shut for the day. On the door was a polite note in German (which, of course, I had to Google-Translate), suggesting that I stop by Quattro, the Italian restaurant nearby, and speak to their staff about buying wine.
And so I did.
I didn’t end up buying wine there, more on that later, but I did end up having dinner. And I’m glad I did.
First Sip: Missed Rituals
I walked in solo, and the first thing I appreciated was the drinks and beverages menu. Lots of wines by the glass, always a win when you're dining alone, and a variety of water sizes, which meant I didn’t have to commit to an entire liter of sparkling just to hydrate.
I ordered a glass of Sangiovese, hoping to start the night on a soft, velvety note. But instead of a small pour to taste and approve, the server just brought it already served. No check-in. No gesture of ceremony. Just... here it is.
That might sound small, but for someone who came in on a wine errand, it was hard to ignore. And unfortunately, the wine itself was warmer than ideal, which didn’t help its case. It didn’t ruin the evening, but it did plant a little doubt, the kind that made me second-guess taking any bottles home with me.
The Main Act: Steak & the Tragedy of the Veggies
I ordered the Bistecca Di Manzo Alla Griglia as main dish, medium rare because it's the only civilized way to eat a steak and, credit where it's due: they nailed it. The steak came out juicy, beautifully seared, and exactly at the requested temperature. It was the kind of meat that makes you want to slow down and pay attention, soft, tender, juicy and well seasoned.
The vegetables, though? Not so much.
They were dramatically overcooked. Soft to the point of sadness, robbed of their structure and spirit, completely textureless to the point of crying. It’s always a bit disappointing when the sides don’t live up to the main, especially when the contrast makes it even more obvious.
Here is a view of the dish when it came, before I cut the steak open to check the temperature.
Dessert Saved the Night
Thankfully, dessert made a comeback.
The tiramisú was the standout of the meal. A proper balance of coffee and cocoa, with mascarpone cream that was smooth and rich without being heavy. No overpowering sweetness, no soggy bottom, no shortcuts.
It was comforting. Confident. A dessert that ends the meal on the right note without begging for attention.
A Familiar Feeling
Quattro leans fully into its Italian identity: warm lighting, nostalgic music, rustic chairs, and a menu that reads like an itinerary through Italy. There’s charm in the space — not pretentious, not theatrical, just... inviting.
The service had its moments, both good and forgettable, but nothing bad. A thoughtful knife swap mid-meal here, a missed wine moment there. But paired with the tiramisú and that steak, it was enough to make me want to linger and finish my meal with some limoncello.
Final Bite
I didn’t get the wine I came for. And no, I didn’t buy a bottle from Quattro either. If they couldn’t nail the serving temperature, I wasn’t about to trust their cellar recommendations.
But what I did get was a slow, grounded meal on my final night in Frankfurt. A solo dinner with just enough warmth, just enough comfort, and just enough character to remind me why I still go out to eat instead of tapping buttons on an app.
And sometimes, that’s all you need.
Quattro Ristorante Italiano
Frankfurt, Germany
Worth it for: the steak, the tiramisú, and the feeling of being hosted without hurry
Watch out for: too-warm wine and overcooked sides
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